Perkins film collection

Creator:

Perkins School for the Blind

Date Range:

1923-1985, bulk 1960-1980

Call Number:

AG11

Abstract:

This collection contains 16mm, 8mm, and Super 8 film reels that has been collected or produced by Perkins School for the Blind, documenting education and skill development for people who are blind, the services offered by Perkins, and other topics. The bulk of the collection dates from the 1960-1980, but many have no known date.

Extent:

53 titles

Language:

English

Processed by:

Jen Hale, 2014

Biographical/Historical note:

In 1829, Perkins School for the Blind became the first school of its kind in the United States. Inspired by the school founded in Paris in 1784, Dr. John Dix Fisher gathered together a group of fellow Bostonians who advocated successfully for a school in Boston dedicated to the education of pupils who were blind. Contrary to popular perceptions at the time, the school’s founders believed that people who were blind could be educated and could live independently. 

The school opened to students in 1832 under our first director, Samuel Gridley Howe. Students followed a curriculum divided between academic subjects similar to any other school in Boston, and curriculum designed to improve tactile dexterity and provide employment options. Physical activity including daily walks, calisthenics, swimming, and rowing were also an important part of the curriculum. 

In 1837, eight-year old Laura Bridgman came to Perkins to be educated. She would become the first person who was deafblind to complete a formal education. The initiative would bring Anne Sullivan and Helen Keller together 50 years later and would evolve into the Perkins Deafblind School that continues to be a leader in the field today.

High demand required the school to move several times to accommodate more students. In 1912 the Watertown campus opened and was the first home to Perkins designed especially for students who were blind. This campus combined accessible architectural elements with an abundance of outdoor space that helped us improve the quality of services for our students. 

Over the years, Perkins has responded directly to the evolving needs of children who are blind or visually impaired. For example, Perkins expanded its Deafblind Program tenfold in the 1960s in response to the surge of babies born with deafblindness due to the rubella epidemic. With mainstreaming beginning in the 1970s, inclusive public education became the model for students who were blind.

Perkins continues to focus on students with multiple disabilities, supplemental outreach programming, and early childhood education. Perkins also supports the families, educators, professionals and researchers who support children through educational and accessibility services, and professional development.

Sources of information:

Coit, Susanna. “Presenting Perkins: The films of Robert M. Campbell.” Perkins Archives Blog, Perkins School for the Blind, Watertown MA. February 7, 2019.

Restrictions:

Some titles restricted due to student privacy. Playback equipment for films is unavailable.

The Perkins Archives reserves the right to deny physical access to materials available in a digital format. 

Copyright:

It is the responsibility of the user to obtain permission to publish from the owner of the copyright (the institution, the creator of the record, the author or his/her transferees, heirs, legates, or literary executors). The user agrees to indemnify and hold harmless Perkins School for the Blind, its officers, employees, and agents from and against all claims made by any person asserting that he or she is an owner of copyright.

Credit line/Citation:

AG11 Perkins film collection. Perkins School for the Blind Archives, Watertown MA.

Scope/Contents:

Contains 16mm, 8mm, and Super 8 film reels that has been collected or produced by Perkins. The bulk of the collection dates from the 1960-1980, but many have no known date. The Perkins produced films include the World of the Deaf-Blind series, Light for All, and Children of the Silent Night. Non-professionally produced films by Perkins are in 8mm and Super 8 format, the bulk documenting the deafblind program from 1960-1980. There are 5 films related to Perkins summer school from 1942 and 1945 in color. Many films are undated and untitled. Some titles are transcribed notations from film canisters, and may not correspond to actual title. Films published by other institutions include by the American Foundation for the Blind and the New Zealand Blind Foundation.

Arrangement:

This collection is arranged by producer.

Related collections:

In process.

Container list:

Perkins Produced

• Children of the Silent Night, 1961 
• Legacy of Anne Sullivan, 1968
• Light For All, 1923
• Perkins Institution, 1933
• Perkins…Challenging, Changing, Growing, 1985
• The Perkins Story, 1957
• The Perkins Story Adapting to Change, 1977
• Realities of Blindness-The Perkins Experience, 1972
• The World of Deaf-Blind Children “Deaf-Blind Circus,” n.d. 
• The World of Deaf-Blind Children – Growing Up, 1975
• The World of Deaf-Blind Children – How They Communicate, 1975

Perkins Nonprofessional Fims

• Bookbinding, n.d.
• Bowling alleys DED, n.d.
• Deaf Blind program, 1960s-1970s, (approx. 60 films) 
• Perkins 400 feet taken G.F, n.d.
• Perkins Institute odds and ends, n.d.
• Perkins Institute Summer School 1945, circa 1942, 1945 (5 films in total)
• Perkins Institute Odds and Ends, n.d.
• South Boston Blind artisan workshop, n.d. 
• Unnamed film, n.d., (contains scenes of construction being done)

Non Perkins Produced

• As a Blind Person, 1984
• Children Without Sight, 1971
• Communicating with Deaf-Blind People, 1964
• A Day with Debbie, 1974
• The Education of the Deaf and Blind, 1965
• Eye Doctor on Safari, 1962
• Fiat Lux, n.d.
• Helen Keller’s story (possibly the film Her Story which is also known as The Unconquered), [1954] 
• How the Eye Functions, 1941
• The Key, n.d.
• Low Vision Patient, [1974]The Mike Douglas Show, 1965
• The Miracle Worker, n.d.
• No Longer Alone, 1961 
• Not Without Sight, 1974
• Perkins Slide Show, n.d.
• Social Training of Young Deaf-Blind Students, 1967
• Today Show Feature on the Blind and Deaf, n.d.
• What Do You Do When You See a Blind Person, 1971
• The World as I See, n.d.
• A World of their Own, 1971

Unknown Creator

• A Short Chronicle: 40 Years of the Lighthouse for the Blind of Greece, n.d. 
• ACSG, n.d.
• A.N.H.A Romero film, n.d.
• E.[K] Boston, n.d. 
• Gayle, 1966
• Km Caputo April 1966, 1966
• Looking on Darkness, n.d. 
• Mobility Film, n.d.
• NE[RC], n.d.
• Shelley, n.d.
• Story of Chan Poh Lin, 1963, 2 reels
• Survey of blindness “Silent Speed,” n.d.
• Using Fire Extinguishers, n.d.
• A Japanese film on the deaf blind, n.d.

Subject headings:

• Perkins School for the Blind.
• Perkins School for the Blind–History.
• People who are blind–Education
• People who are deafblind–Education
• Children who are deafblind
• Children who are blind
• Teachers of people who are blind
• Teachers of people who are deafblind
• Campbell, Robert M.